The National High School Journalism Convention is a semiannual gathering of high school journalists and advisers sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and its partner, the National Scholastic Press Association. The associations partner to prepare hundreds of practical and professional learning sessions, from high-profile keynotes to specific, problem-solving breakouts, hands-on workshops and discussion groups. Other convention activities include an exhibit hall with vendors who sell to student media, JEA’s on-site Write-off contests, NSPA’s Best of Show contest, receptions, awards convocations, critiques, career roundtables and evening entertainment.

Breakout sessions for students from all media types — newspaper, online, broadcast, yearbook and magazine — are planned to meet the publishing and broadcasting needs of all scholastic student media. Some are specifically for advisers, administrators or middle school students. Whether it’s ethics and law, technology and design, advertising and business operations, photography and art or just the basics of news writing and reporting, this convention covers the bases.

With typical attendance of more than 4,000 delegates, the JEA/NSPA convention has become the place to seek solutions to the most challenging publishing and broadcasting problems, share and celebrate success stories, see what’s new in the media marketplace, discover trends and network with students and advisers from throughout the United States.

WHY CONVENTIONS MATTER

Are you running into some obstacles at your school regarding convention travel? We know that field trip restrictions are tighter than ever, and we’re here to help. Download this PDF to share with your administrators as you seek travel approval. This one-page document promotes the benefits of JEA/NSPA national conventions and might help showcase why conventions offer essential learning experiences — for teachers and students — beyond the regular classroom.

TRAVEL
Planning on attending a convention? Here’s everything from basic rules to permissions slips to guidance on flying. CLICK HERE.

CONVENTION HISTORY
Click on the link for some cities to view pictures and other information from that convention.

Statistics from spring 1990 through spring 2012
Average — 3,802
Fall average — 4,184
Spring average — 3,437
Largest — Washington, D.C., fall 2009 (6,353)

2015 Spring Denver (April 16-19) Fall Orlando (Nov. 12-16) 2014 Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 6-9) Spring San Diego (April 10-13) 2013 Spring San Francisco (April 25-28) Fall Boston (Nov. 14-17) 2012 Spring Seattle (April 12-15) 3,195 Fall San Antonio (Nov. 15-18) 2011 Spring Anaheim (April 14-17) 3,814 Fall Minneapolis (Nov. 17-20) 4,214 2010 Spring Portland (April 15-18) 2,739 Fall Kansas City (Nov. 11-14) 4,599 2009 Spring Phoenix (April 16-19) 2,800 Fall Washington, D.C. (Nov. 12-15) 6,353 2008 Spring Anaheim 4,461 Fall St. Louis (Nov. 13-16) 5,020 2007 Spring Denver (April 12-15) 3,367 Fall Philadelphia (Nov. 8-11) 4,802 2006 Spring San Francisco 4,263 (April 20-23) Fall Nashville 5,020 (Nov. 9-12) 2005 Spring Seattle 4,320 Fall Chicago 6,191 (Nov. 10-13) 2004 Spring San Diego 4,355 Fall Atlanta 3,869

2003 Spring Portland 3,596 Fall Washington, D.C. 4,803 2002 Spring Phoenix 3,612 Fall Dallas 5,278 2001 Spring San Francisco 5,367 Fall Boston 3,155 2000 Spring Anaheim 4,770 Fall Kansas City 4,319 1999 Spring Albuquerque 2,613 Fall Atlanta 4,102 1998 Spring Seattle 4,517 Fall Washington, D.C. 5,121 1997 Spring Phoenix 3,547 Fall St. Louis 4,129 1996 Spring San Francisco 3,925 Fall Chicago 4,380 1995 Spring San Diego 2,949 Fall Kansas City 3,461 1994 Spring Portland 2,355 Fall Dallas 3,033 1993 Spring Long Beach 2,675 Fall Washington, D.C. 3,349 1992 Spring Denver 1,800 Fall Columbus 2,100 1991 Spring Albuquerque 2,200 Fall Chicago 3,138 1990 Spring Seattle 1,830 Fall Indianapolis 1,610